Engineering Insights

Welcome to the Colman Engineering blog, where we discuss industry trends, project highlights, and expert perspectives.

Lush rain garden with tall grasses and shrubs under a clear blue sky. Houses and trees in the background create a peaceful suburban scene.

Nell-Marie Colman

2 days ago3 min read

Go Green for St. Patrick's Day—And for Stormwater!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today's the day for wearing green. But you can make green choices every day—especially when it comes to...

The Colman Engineering team, celebrating another successful year

Nell-Marie Colman

5 days ago1 min read

Celebrating 15 Years of Serving Our Community

The Colman Engineering team, celebrating another successful year during our 2024 Christmas Party. Fifteen years ago, Colman Engineering...

Staff Writer

Jan 4, 20221 min read

Hometown Highlights: Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC)

This week Colman Engineering would like to highlight the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC) and Foundation. Providing...

Steel bridge arches over lush green forest under a vibrant blue sky with scattered clouds, creating a serene and majestic landscape.

Staff Writer

Dec 15, 20212 min read

West Virginia Infrastructure Receives a “D” in First-Ever Infrastructure Report Card

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) just released its first-ever Report Card for West Virginia’s infrastructure, giving the...

Worker in a yellow helmet installs solar panels on a roof under a clear blue sky, focused and wearing a safety harness.

Staff Writer

Oct 1, 20212 min read

Here Comes the Sun…Colman Engineering Catches Some Solar Arrays

If you drive past, or come visit the office, you may notice something a little different about the space. No, it’s not the team basking...

Dew-covered spider web on dry branches in a misty field. The morning light highlights the web, creating a serene and delicate scene.

Staff Writer

Sep 21, 20214 min read

Returning to Nature: Bio-mimicry Advancements in Engineering

Conjuring an image of “nature” typically entails lush forests, deep canyons, sunsets over the horizon, or whatever your favorite...

Small pink flowers and green shoots growing through cracked asphalt, symbolizing resilience amidst a rough, dark surface.

Staff Writer

Sep 3, 20215 min read

Embracing the Wobble: The Paradigm Shift to Resilience Engineering

Reeling from yet another natural disaster of catastrophic proportions, the US looks to the challenges in the South with exhaustion,...

A river winds through a canyon with red rock cliffs under a clear blue sky. Lush green vegetation lines the riverbanks, creating a serene scene.

Staff Writer

Aug 20, 20213 min read

Mired in Drought, the West Faces New Water Resource Challenges

Water scarcity in the American West has historically been a contentious issue. In order to address growing water demands throughout a...

Fish leaping from a river, creating splashes in the water. Forested riverbank in the background under a clear blue sky.

Staff Writer

Jul 13, 20212 min read

Using Water Turbulence Models to Predict Invasive Carp Movement

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific government agency spanning the disciplines of geography, geology, biology, and...

Thermal image of a city skyline with tall buildings. Vibrant red, orange, and blue colors dominate the night scene.

Staff Writer

Jun 28, 20212 min read

Using Reflective Surfaces to Address Urban Heat Pollution

As summer enters full swing throughout the United States—bringing with it record-setting heat waves, threats of power outage, and cases...

Cracked asphalt road with yellow lines, overgrown with weeds, surrounded by green and dry bushes. Hills and a cloudy sky in the background.

Staff Writer

Jun 1, 20212 min read

Uncovering Causes of Modern Concrete and Asphalt Deterioration

Concrete has dominated the modern construction industry since the start of its commercial manufacturing in the nineteenth century....

Robot pondering in front of a blackboard covered in complex equations and diagrams. Dimly lit room with a futuristic ambiance.

Staff Writer

May 17, 20212 min read

AI Model Uses Photos to Predict Materials’ Stress and Strain

Engineers use time-tested, evidence-based physical laws to determine how materials will behave in a particular situation. With knowledge...

Wind turbines on rolling hills under a blue sky with clouds. The landscape is arid and brown, suggesting a rural or remote setting.

Staff Writer

Apr 30, 20212 min read

Bladeless Wind Machines Diversify Renewable Energy Generation

Wind accounts for the highest percentage of renewable energy generation in the United States. According to the U.S. Energy Information...

Windmill in a dusty desert landscape under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Sparse vegetation and distant hills create a serene mood.

Staff Writer

Apr 19, 20212 min read

Expanding Water Access in the Navajo Nation

The Navajo Nation retains the largest land area of any indigenous tribe in the United States. Navajo land spans 27,000 square miles—an...

Aerial view of a forest fire with bright flames and thick smoke rising over dense, green trees under an orange-tinted sky.

Staff Writer

Apr 5, 20212 min read

Reimagining Wildfire-Resilient Infrastructure in America

As the U.S. enters warmer months, wildfires and wildfire prevention will resume a chief position among infrastructure concerns.

Aerial view of a flooded neighborhood with several houses surrounded by murky water. Trees and vegetation are partially submerged.

Staff Writer

Mar 24, 20212 min read

Potential Flood-Related Financial Loss Exceeds Current Estimations

Homeowners and renters alike may be familiar with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)’s Flood Maps, which provide a...

Wooden toy train set with elevated tracks, bridges, and colorful houses with red and green roofs. Sunlight casts shadows.

Staff Writer

Mar 9, 20212 min read

2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure Highlights Need for Increased Investment

Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) releases its assessment of the current condition and needs of United...

Red road sign with a black "e" crossed out, set against a blue sky and green forest background, indicating no "e" is allowed.

Nell-Marie Colman

Mar 1, 20211 min read

Colman Engineering: Not Coleman, But Close

If you’ve ever tried to look us up online and found yourself typing “Coleman Engineering” instead of “Colman Engineering,” you’re not...

Nighttime view of a busy port with illuminated cranes, cargo ships, and a cityscape in the foreground. The scene has a calm, bustling mood.

Staff Writer

Feb 19, 20212 min read

Engineers Reimagine Post-Pandemic Infrastructure Design Practices

As the pandemic continues to draw attention to infrastructure shortcomings all over the globe, engineers and city planners must ask...

Straight railroad tracks stretch into the horizon, surrounded by desert foliage under a partly cloudy sky. A tranquil, endless journey vibe.

Staff Writer

Feb 9, 20212 min read

EnviroRail Embraces Green Railroad Construction and Maintenance Through Partnership with Mechanical Concrete

The Nebraska-based railroad service contractor EnviroRail recently licensed Mechanical Concrete, an industrial strength aggregate...